Council adopts development-code amendments loosening rules for airports and mobile food vendors; allows places of worship in commercial zones

The Sierra Vista City Council voted Jan. 22 to adopt proposed text amendments to the city development code that change definitions and permitted uses across several sections.

Staff summarized the principal changes: (1) allow airports by right within the light-industry zoning district; (2) revise the definition of "community service use" to expressly include emergency medical service providers; (3) eliminate the annual permit certificate requirement for mobile food vendors to remove redundancies with county rules; and (4) allow places of worship within the general commercial zoning district. Staff said the amendments were published on the city’s engagement website for a 30-day public-comment period and that no comments were received during that window.

Councilmembers thanked planning staff for reducing redundancy and simplifying mobile food-vendor rules; council approved the ordinance by voice vote.

Staff and council indicated the changes were intended to harmonize local rules with county practice and to streamline permitting.